We know it seems convenient to enroll with a street vendor tent when he says, “It’s free!” But the truth is that other companies probably offer other plans that are far better than the one that guy sitting in a booth is offering you.
All free government cell phone plans changed on December 2 thanks to new regulations issued by the Federal Communications Commission. It set minimum service levels that must be provided, but it didn’t set a maximum.
That means more plans are now available so it’s more important check out all the plans available in your state to make sure you’re getting the one that gives you the most, not the least.
California provides the worst data allowance (100 MB), where all the other states get 500 MB.
The plans vary so much that I think it’s fair to say that some companies’ plans are not sufficient. Someone could really get stuck in a bad plan if they don’t check around. And I noticed that some companies only offer smartphones if you order online. Because of these two things, those people who get a phone from a street tent are locking themselves into what may be a very bad plan on a feature phone for a year.
It’s just another reason not to enroll for the program with a street vendor.
Our comments section is overflowing with questions from readers who want to enroll in the free government cell phone program with a vendor at a street tent or booth. Our answer is always the same:
Don’t do it. There have been too many cases of fraud and abuse originating at these locations.
The best way to compare and contrast different plans from different companies is from your home on your computer so you can make sure you’re getting the most minutes, texts and data.
EDITOR’S NOTE: California offers freakishly good plans compared to other states, but the story is the same no matter which state you call home.
Access Wireless: Smartphone, 1000 minutes or texts, 500 MB data
Assurance Wireless: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited texts, 500 MB data
Blue Jay Wireless: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited texts
Budget Mobile: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited texts, 500 MB data
EnTouch: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited texts, 500 MB data
FeelSafe Wireless: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited texts, 100MB data, plus 100 free international texts per month
Life Wireless: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited texts, 500 MB data
Safelink Wireless: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited texts, 500 MB data
SafetyNet Wireless: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited texts, 100 MB data
Tag Mobile: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited text, unlimited data
Total Call Mobile: Smartphone, 250 minutes, 250 texts, 500 MB data
TruConnect: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited text, 100 MB data, plus 200 minutes of calling to Mexico
Wow! See what we mean? Even within one state, there a huge difference between the plans offered by different free government cell phone companies.
In other words, the plan that sounds so good when a street vendor tells you “It’s free!” may not be so good when you compare it to other plans for which you’re eligible.
Of course, each of these companies allows you to purchase additional minutes, texts, and data. Most of them at relatively reasonable prices, but there are deals to be had when you purchase the extras, too. Each company offers different packages at different prices, so if you think you’ll need more minutes, text or data, you need to check out the cost of each company’s top-up packages to determine which company and plan is best for you.
Be an informed consumer. Do not enroll with a street vendor no matter how tempting it may sound. Get the best plan possible by doing your homework. Compare and contrast all the plans available.
You can find all the companies in your state if you CLICK HERE.